Unitil proposes increases for higher usage - Sentinel & Enterprise

Unitil Corp. on Friday proposed rate changes with the state that it says will result in no increase in electricity rates for average customers, and will increase average natural-gas bills by about $20 per month.

[J_in_Ward_1]

It's easy to stay under 600 kwh during the spring and fall and nearly impossible the rest of the year. Expect pretty much everyone to pay more under this plan.(Did you notice O'Meara didn't say how many people are over 600 kwh and would get an increase - instead he talked about those over 700 kwh and over 850 kwh?) And that's on top of a 21% hike in natural gas distribution costs. So what if natural gas supply costs are down? Do you really think when the supply costs go up that Unitil will then lower its distribution costs? Of course not! We will be stuck with this 21% increase forever.

There might be a few users who don't see an electric increase - like owners of foreclosed properties that keep the heat at a minimum to prevent the pipes from bursting and use just enough lights to show the property to potential buyers. A rate plan that benefits those repossessing the properties of folks pushed out of the area in many cases because of Unitil's high utility rates - how very ironic.

[What About Businesses]

What will the impact be on small businesses that Unitil doesn't classify as large?

[Walnuts]

this is great, punish your best customers so you can subsidize the worst. This is like welfare. It is also what supermarkets do. the best customers wait in long lines while the worst customers buying few items sail right through.
This is an atrocious PR stunt.

[Mike]

Walnuts wrote:

this is great, punish your best customers so you can subsidize the worst. This is like welfare. It is also what supermarkets do. the best customers wait in long lines while the worst customers buying few items sail right through.
This is an atrocious PR stunt.

You *have* to be trolling. What on earth does the express line have to do with welfare? It's just for people with fewer items in their basket. Not everyone buys a month's worth of groceries in one trip.

[Excallaber]

they found a way

[Resident]

Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
You *have* to be trolling. What on earth does the express line have to do with welfare? It's just for people with fewer items in their basket. Not everyone buys a month's worth of groceries in one trip.

Someone is off their meds. Although I'd love to hear their explanation to your question.

[Excallaber]

driving more business out is the big plan still goes on

[Excallaber]

obvilosly they cant manage their company right after all one of the highest in the Country why does everyone else do fine except Fitchburg Gas and Resentment

[Sue]

We have natural gas as our heat source in our home. We supplement with a wood stove burning bio bricks, to save $$ on gas costs. Well, last year Unitil sent us a letter telling us we weren't using enough gas to classify us as a heating customer so our gas rate was increased! You can't win....

[Fizbo]

MA already has some of the highest utility rates in the country, so why not screw over business's and people some more. Greed, plain and simple.

FP

[Tom D]

Hey Steveo DiNatale is this what you meant when you said you were going to remove Fitchburg from the yoke of Unitil's rates ? A 21 percent increase when we are already paying the highest rates in the country. What happens did Unitil offer to pay you and Flanagan even more unreported income. People that take bribes get caught just ask your co work Diane Wilkerson and Chuck Turner. Whoops sorry I forgot you can't do that the FBI put them in jail which is hopefully where you and Flanagan are going soon.

It wasn't Cathy Clark that ran for seats i nthe legislature, it was you and Flanagan. It is't Cathy Clark who can propose laws and access the resources of the legislature, it is you and Flanagan. And it isn't Cathy Clark who has her paw out each and every week for 1400 to 1800 dollars in salary, that you and Flanagan. She works for free, so why she have to do all they heavy lifting don't you think its time for you and Flanagan to accomplish something ?

And I'd like to know how a mayor can run and economy and generate tax revenue when people and businesses are suffocating under these rates. Where are all the factories and jobs. In Leominster, on Nashua Street, on Route 12 and out near Orchard Park, that's where all he people are too. In case you haven't noticed Mayor their budget is overflowing with money we're flat broke.

Tired of the bribes and the excuses

[Blogenburgian]

Tom D wrote:

Hey Steveo DiNatale is this what you meant when you said you were going to remove Fitchburg from the yoke of Unitil's rates ? A 21 percent increase when we are already paying the highest rates in the country. What happens did Unitil offer to pay you and Flanagan even more unreported income. People that take bribes get caught just ask your co work Diane Wilkerson and Chuck Turner. Whoops sorry I forgot you can't do that the FBI put them in jail which is hopefully where you and Flanagan are going soon.
It wasn't Cathy Clark that ran for seats i nthe legislature, it was you and Flanagan. It is't Cathy Clark who can propose laws and access the resources of the legislature, it is you and Flanagan. And it isn't Cathy Clark who has her paw out each and every week for 1400 to 1800 dollars in salary, that you and Flanagan. She works for free, so why she have to do all they heavy lifting don't you think its time for you and Flanagan to accomplish something ?
And I'd like to know how a mayor can run and economy and generate tax revenue when people and businesses are suffocating under these rates. Where are all the factories and jobs. In Leominster, on Nashua Street, on Route 12 and out near Orchard Park, that's where all he people are too. In case you haven't noticed Mayor their budget is overflowing with money we're flat broke.
Tired of the bribes and the excuses

Don't forget Jen Benitil Benson!!!!!!!!
No wonder she could give a poop, her family income increased by 70k a year.

[Bob Grant]

if you live in an apartment or home with Electric Heat, this is an AUTOMATIC 7% increase in your bill, regardless how much you try to 'save energy'. Unitil once again plays three-card-Monte to avoid the True issue...the Fact they have overcharged residents for +30 Years!

[uranidiot]

Tom D wrote:

Hey Steveo DiNatale is this what you meant when you said you were going to remove Fitchburg from the yoke of Unitil's rates ? A 21 percent increase when we are already paying the highest rates in the country. What happens did Unitil offer to pay you and Flanagan even more unreported income. People that take bribes get caught just ask your co work Diane Wilkerson and Chuck Turner. Whoops sorry I forgot you can't do that the FBI put them in jail which is hopefully where you and Flanagan are going soon.
It wasn't Cathy Clark that ran for seats i nthe legislature, it was you and Flanagan. It is't Cathy Clark who can propose laws and access the resources of the legislature, it is you and Flanagan. And it isn't Cathy Clark who has her paw out each and every week for 1400 to 1800 dollars in salary, that you and Flanagan. She works for free, so why she have to do all they heavy lifting don't you think its time for you and Flanagan to accomplish something ?
And I'd like to know how a mayor can run and economy and generate tax revenue when people and businesses are suffocating under these rates. Where are all the factories and jobs. In Leominster, on Nashua Street, on Route 12 and out near Orchard Park, that's where all he people are too. In case you haven't noticed Mayor their budget is overflowing with money we're flat broke.
Tired of the bribes and the excuses

Where is your proof Flanagan and DiNatali are taking bribes from Unitil??? Put your money where your big mouth is before you slander the politicians. I'm no fan of DiNatali but I do know he dispises Unitil just as much as everyone else does in the area.

PS...MAYORS DON'T RUN THE ECONOMY! If Leominster is rolling in the dough, why did they have to layoff teachers? Why haven't they provided a decent, non-sewer trap of a police station to their police?

Fitchburg now has money in the stabilization fund and it's bond rating has improved. Get a clue before you blow your hot air.
TOM D, any relation to Ted DeSalvatore?

[MikeV]

Walnuts wrote:

this is great, punish your best customers so you can subsidize the worst. This is like welfare. It is also what supermarkets do. the best customers wait in long lines while the worst customers buying few items sail right through.
This is an atrocious PR stunt.

So, when I go to the store to get stuff for the game today and use the express the line it classifies me as a worst customer and my actions can be equated with being on welfare?

[Brrrrr]

Although I don't agree with their business practices, you gotta hand it to them. That company is amazing. They truly know how to create new ways to increase profits. If you don't use enough you pay more. If you use too much you pay more. And guess what? If you're in the middle, you've been paying more anyway. It's brilliant because they get away with whatever they're doing and nobody does anything about it.

If you love this area but wanna get away from Unitil move to Leominster. We did it last year. We pay almost half for gas and electric as we did with gas and electric in Fitchburg. And our home is the same size and within the same energy efficiency range.

[sonny]

Unitil just doesn't get it!!! All I can say is "Big Balls"

Will our rep's get it?????? Election time is just around the corner